WGLT's Sound Ideas

A new flag, raising awareness about the importance of organ donation, now flies with the U.S. and Illinois state flags at Carle BroMenn Medical Center in Normal. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prairie Central Primary West elementary school in Chenoa will be replaced by a new centralized school in Fairbury in three years. Earlier this month, voters in Prairie Central approved a referendum allowing the school district to borrow $38 million for necessary facility upgrades, including the new elementary school. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, a McLean County community that once had its own K-12 school system -- will soon have no school at all, a Central Illinois woman whose life was touched by giving and receiving donated organs, plus an upcoming talk at ISU examines how Adolph Hitler won over the majority in 100 days. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former U.S. ambassador exposed truths about the world order at her final lecture as part of Illinois State University’s Donald F. McHenry Speaker Series. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lead-based paint is a leading cause of lead poisoning, and despite being outlawed in the United States around 1978, around 3 million homes in Illinois still have or are suspected to have lead-based paint in them. The state also falls among the top in the country for lead exposure rates, which in severe cases can cause brain damage and developmental disabilities. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, the use of lead paint decades was banned decades ago but a number of neighborhoods in McLean County are still dealing with the health effects, and an ISU visiting scholar and retired diplomat discusses U.S. relations with Africa. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

YWCA Stepping Stones started a fundraising campaign in 2023. They made more than initially anticipated and expect to finish renovations this summer. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An agriculture executive in Bloomington says tariffs are creating a lot of uncertainty heading into a new planting season. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, tariffs overshadow a trade mission trip to Mexico for business and agriculture leaders from McLean County and across Illinois, plus McLean County's only rape crisis center moves closer to a major expansion after some key funding comes through. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Larry Lyons recalls many of the thoughts that lingered in his head through the morning hours of April 7, 2015. A plane carrying seven men associated with the Redbird Athletics and Bloomington-Normal business communities had just crashed as it approached Central Illinois Regional Airport. “The first question is always, ‘why?’ I mean, somebody can come up with an answer physically why,” said Lyons, who was ISU’s athletic director at the time. “But as you know, that’s an existential question that we all ask whenever there’s a really bad question. I don’t know why.” Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Illinois State University pays tribute 10 years after a plane crash took seven members of the Redbird athletics community, central Illinois lawmakers and stakeholders try to combat human trafficking and support its victims, and an Illinois Wesleyan student saw a community needed and filled it -- offering translation services in nearly two dozen languages. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois Wesleyan University is bridging the language gap for District 87 students and their families. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of more than 1,000 “Hands Off!” rallies across the country took place in downtown Bloomington Saturday afternoon to oppose the government's agenda regarding cuts to federal agencies and programs, and to voice concerns about human rights under President Donald Trump's leadership. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Heartland Academy for Learning Opportunities [HALO] celebrated its 15th anniversary Wednesday evening at Heartland Community College. HALO offers a higher education experience to students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, or other learning challenges. Students can follow a one-year transition year plan to help them figure out what to do after high school, and also can can choose a two-year non-degree to earn a certificate. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singer-songwriter Jenny Scara returns to home turf this week, headlining Gender Envy Friday night at the Coffeehouse with a new EP in tow. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, graduate workers at Illinois State University stand in solidarity with faculty with the threat of a strike looming, singer-songwriter Jenny Scara returns home no longer filled with regret about chasing her dreams, and Heartland Community College connects academics with soft skills to support students with developmental disabilities. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Illinois State Graduate Workers Union remains committed to refusing to do extra work to cover for faculty on strike if one begins. WGLT talks to AJ Pittman, a member of the steering committee for the grad workers union. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan Brady says the city faces several big challenges as he prepares to take office next month: public safety, water problems and what he calls a pending storm -- the city's financial crunch. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, ISU's lab school educators want to unionize, a mother whose son died a car crash is pushing Illinois lawmakers to limit districted driving for teens, and an ISU scholar explains how the teachings of Communist philosopher Karl Max are still alive and well in the U.S. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.